Is 12/12 OK for Autos?

[Effexion]

I have hit Google but found mixes results. I'm growing one plant (at the moment) and have her on a 12/12 to save on electricity. She can go on a 24/0 but is that necessary?

[IceCalibur]

I wouldn't recommend 12/12 for autos just because it will seriously impede any decent yield from them due to their short vegetative phase.

18 hours and above is acceptable for autos, and some choose 18/6 to save on the old leccy (which would be the minimum I would advise anyone to use).

I personally prefer to use 18/6 or 20/4 because I've found the plants in my environment seem happier on those schedules rather than 24/0, but many do grow succesfully with that and I've had great yields from 24/0 too.

Some growers use 24/0 to keep their environment as stable as possible.

[Shaun]

I think 20/4 until flower then 18/6 for flower is the sweet spot. No science behind that

[Tommy stoner]

18/6 is what I run from the start don't know why just do. Can't complain about the harvest
But it's getting better every time thanks to the advice I get from the friendly people here on the talk.
Good luck with your grow.

[barney_b]

Since going to 20/4 (used to be 24/7) I've noticed my leaves are healthier towards mid-late flower.

Autoflowers still abide by the rules of DLI, right? So 24 hours at 50% should equal 12 hours at 100% power. Just not sure that works in practice. I've seen multiple growers test that theory and it seems that the longer light cycle consistently gives back better yields.

It's fascinating this one. My deep dive started here at the Talk, moved across the web, and eventually ended up back in my own tent...

Less hours, more power. More power, less hours.

Cheers
B

[M_C]

I tend to run 24/0 but, over this hot period, have been running 20/4 - with the lights being off in the hottest part of the day

[Jingo]

I think 24/0 is best for most auto's, those that don't like it will give you a noticeable droop at the same time each day. Pineapple express is one that prefers 20/4 or 18/6.

J

[Greengrass]

For the first couple of weeks ( up to 3 ) of their life I have them in the window for 3 or 4 hours a day saving on the electric can't beat a bit of the old currant bun and with the angle the sun gets to those hard to reach nodes
Atb

[barney_b]

I tend to run 24/0 but, over this hot period, have been running 20/4 - with the lights being off in the hottest part of the day

I think 24/0 is best for most auto's, those that don't like it will give you a noticeable droop at the same time each day. Pineapple express is one that prefers 20/4 or 18/6.

J

Just wanted to point these two gems out. Thought they both deserved repeating.

Cheers guys.

B

[MadJohn]

Both my autos were 18/6 and they turned out fine.

I'm sure I read somewhere that there's no advantage to going 24/0 and that some downtime can help the plant (I wish I could remember if that was science or "trust me bro" but I just can't, sorry)

Barney is right though ultimately, it's all about DLI so it shouldn't matter too much with autos

MJ